PHILADELPHIA (TCN) — A 36-year-old woman has been charged with murder and multiple related counts in connection with the death of her 10-year-old foster daughter, whose body was found in the trunk of a car in New Jersey.
KOAT reports Malayshia Alford was last seen alive on Oct. 22. Police and the FBI were involved in the search for her, and her remains were found Nov. 5 in the trunk of a car 20 miles away, across state lines. Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said, “It was immediately apparent that she had been there for a while.”
According to KOAT, police viewed surveillance footage from Oct. 26 that allegedly showed Alford’s body being removed from her home in a bag. That footage led police to a witness, who led them to Lindenwold, New Jersey, where her body was found. Authorities believe she died of blunt force trauma and her manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Alford’s foster mother, Caprice Williams, was charged with murder, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse, per KOAT.
Audacy reports Williams worked as a teacher at Cassidy Academics Plus School. Alford had lived with Williams for about two years, Newsweek reports.
An unnamed neighbor told KVVU, “Everybody failed this baby. Everybody.”
In a statement posted to social media, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said, “As a mother, this has shaken me to my core. I can’t stop thinking about this precious baby and the heartache and turmoil that her immediate village will endure.”
Williams is behind bars without bond, per Audacy.
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